Hockey Champions Trophy, as it happened: India makes a winning start, trounce Pakistan 4-0

Wrapping it up

So, three goals in the final quarter and a sensational win to start off the Champions Trophy and Harendra Singh’s hockey stint. For the first two quarters, there wasn’t much to separate between the two sides. On occasions, it even looked like Pakistan were playing a little better than the Indians even as the men in blue were one goal up. Even in the third quarter, Pakistan had more circle penetrations than India. But the second goal by India – the way it was set up and finished – was brilliant. Pakistan, then, took off their goalie to get a player on the field (always a risky move) and paid the price for it. India capialised on their pressure and scored two more for a crushing win.

GOAL! Pressure on Pakistan and India capitalise on that. In the dying seconds of the final quarter, Lalit Kumar rushes forwards, falls to get Ramandeep’s pass to slot into the keeper-less Pakistan net, but connects the ball with his stick to score India’s fourth goal. It’s all over!

GOAL! Pakistan took off their goalie to allow 11 players on the field, trying to get one back. But the risk backfires. Amit Rohidas passes from near the half line. Mandeep gets it, beats a Pakistani defender and slots in India’s third goal.

GOAL! Brilliant tackle by Surender Kumar to pass the ball to Simranjeet, who evades a Pakistani defender and sends a superb pass to Dilpreet in the attacking circle. The youngest player in the squad comes in between the Pakistani goalie and a defender, takes the ball away from both and flicks it in to give India a two goal lead.

Fourth quarter, India 1-0 Pakistan (7 minutes to go): Great opportunity for India as the ball reaches Dilpreet with

Fourth quarter, India 1-0 Pakistan (12 minutes to go): Great save once again by PR Sreejesh to deny Muhammad Umar Bhutta.

Fourth quarter, India 1-0 Pakistan: Aerial pass by the Indians again. They try to get to the Pakistani circle. But the Pakistanis quickly gather to fend off the Indian attack.

Harendra Singh tells his team to “pass-run-pass-run” so the Pakistani players will tire soon. The men in green have one more quarter left to get themselves back in this game.

End of third quarter, India 1-0 Pakistan: So, one more quarter, wherein Pakistan played a bit better than India but haven’t been able to find a goal.

Penalty corner for Pakistan: Ali Mubashar is a smidgen delayed in trying to set up his flick. But Amit Rohidas rushes forward and gives him no room at all. Mubashar hits the ball hard, it goes and strikes hard on Amit’s arm. Brave effort.

Third quarter, India 1-0 Pakistan (five minutes to go): Both teams have had two shots on goal so far. Both sides are on their toes. The pace of the game has been great, especially after the start of the second half.

Third quarter, India 1-0 Pakistan: Pakistan keeping the ball away from India. They are rotating the ball well. But they need to penetrate into the Indian circle and try to equalise soon.

Pakistan equalise... no, they don’t Looked like Pakistan equalised early in the second half but India use the referral and deny the goal. It’s been disallowed for a wild stick in the box before the ball found the back of the net.

Here we go, second half underway...

Bobby Cruchley, former England coach: Pakistan were organised in the first half. They were organised in the defence. India were better on the ball but needed to up their intensity. They created more pressure in the final few minutes of the first half.

GOAL! Spark of brilliance by the Indian attack. Beautiful passing. Lalit Upadhyay passes the ball to Simranjeet Singh in the left. He takes the ball forward, and flicks it in the direction of the goal. The ball passes four Pakistani defenders and reaches Ramandeep, who deflects it to the net.

Second quarter, India 0-0 Pakistan (seven minutes to go): Pakistan seems to have most of the possession this quarter. Play’s been quiet so far this quarter. India are looking a little in haste.

Second quarter, India 0-0 Pakistan: Second penalty corner as soon as the second quarter begins. Harmanpreet executes it poorly. Another opportunity missed. And, Pakistan counterattacks quickly. But the Indian defenders stop Pakistan.

End of first quarter, India 0-0 Pakistan: Penalty corner. But Pakistan do well to keep Mandeep away. No goals scored but an exciting first quarter played by both teams.

First quarter, India 0-0 Pakistan (5 minutes to go): Muhammad Irfan’s been playing well for Pakistan in the defence. Looks like the Indians are struggling to find space. No threats of a goal so far.

First quarter, India 0-0 Pakistan (10 minutes to go): Even so far in terms of possession. Pakistan are trying to attack from the right. Both teams are passing in the air.

First quarter, India 0-0 Pakistan (12 minutes to go): Ramandeep threatens by stealing the ball near the half-line and entering Pakistan’s circle. But the Pakistan defenders clear the danger.

National anthems over and we are all set to go...

Considerable crowd at Breda to witness this historic match between India and Pakistan in the last edition of the Champions Trophy. Time for the national anthems.

The last eight matches between India and Pakistan:-

5:00 pm Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the first Champions Trophy match. It’s India versus Pakistan, folks. Yes, Pakistan isn’t the team what it used to be once. And, because of that, the rivalry itself has been watered down. And, India’s new head coach Harendra Singh and captain PR Sreejesh have concurred that “the match against Pakistan is just another game.” But the men in blue will be under pressure for they are playing their first match since the Commonwealth Games and their first match under a new coach. So, all eyes are on them.